Del. Code tit. 19 § 3314

Current through 2024 Legislative Session Act Chapter 510

Section 3314 - Disqualification for benefits

An individual shall be disqualified for benefits:

(1) For the week in which the individual left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work and for each week thereafter until the individual has been employed in each of 4 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned wages in covered employment equal to not less than 4 times the weekly benefit amount. However, if an individual has left work involuntarily because of illness, no disqualification shall prevail after the individual becomes able to work and available for work and meets all other requirements under this title, but the Department shall require a doctor's certificate to establish such availability or if an individual has left work due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence, as that term is defined in § 703A(a) of Title 13, no disqualification shall prevail. An individual's leaving work shall be treated as due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence if the leaving work resulted from:

a. The individual's reasonable fear of future domestic violence at or en route to or from the individual's place of employment;

b. The individual's wish to relocate to another geographic area in order to avoid future domestic violence against the individual or the individual's spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent; or

c. Any other circumstance in which domestic violence causes the individual to reasonably believe that leaving work is necessary for the future safety of the individual or the individual's spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent.

When determining whether an individual has experienced domestic violence for compensation purposes, the Division shall require the individual to provide documentation to the Division of the domestic violence involved, such as a police or court record, or documentation of the domestic violence from a shelter worker, attorney, member of the clergy or medical or other professional from whom the employee has sought assistance in addressing domestic violence and its effects. All evidence of domestic violence experienced by an individual, including the individual's statement and any corroborating evidence shall not be disclosed by the Division of Unemployment Insurance unless consent for disclosure is given by the individual. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer's benefit wages in connection with §§ 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer. An individual who becomes unemployed solely as the result of completing a period of employment that was of a seasonal, durational, temporary or casual duration will not be considered as a matter of law to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work solely on the basis of the duration of such employment.

An individual who, pursuant to an option provided under a collective bargaining agreement or written employer plan which permits the waiver of the right to retain employment when there is a temporary layoff due to lack of work, has elected to be separated for a temporary period not to exceed 30 calendar days and the employer has consented thereto will not be considered to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work.

An individual, who quits work in order to accompany that individual's spouse to a place from which it is impractical for such individual to commute and due to a change in location of that individual's spouse's employment, will not be considered to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer's benefit wages in connection with §§ 3349- 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer.

An individual, who quits work to care for that individual's spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent with a verified illness or disability, will not be considered to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to such work. For the purposes of this paragraph, a "verified illness or disability" is defined as one that necessitates the care of the individual's ill or disabled spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent that lasts longer than the individual's employer is willing to grant leave for. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer's benefit wages in connection with §§ 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer.

(2) For the week in which the individual was discharged from the individual's work for just cause in connection with the individual's work and for each week thereafter until the individual has been employed in each of 4 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned wages in covered employment equal to not less than 4 times the weekly benefit amount. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer's benefit wages in connection with §§ 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer.

An individual, who is discharged from work because the individual has provided notice to that individual's employer of the intent to quit work to accompany that individual's spouse to a place from which it is impractical for such individual to commute and due to a change in location of the individual's spouse's employment, will not be considered to have been discharged from work for good cause attributable to such work. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall constitute employer's benefit wages in connection with §§ 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title.

An individual, who is discharged from work because the individual is providing care for that individual's spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent with a verified illness or disability, will not be considered to have been discharged from work for good cause attributable to such work. For the purposes of this paragraph, a "verified illness or disability" is defined as one that necessitates the care of the individual's ill or disabled spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent that lasts longer than the individual's employer is willing to grant leave for. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall constitute employer's benefit wages in connection with §§ 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title.

An individual, who is discharged from work due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence, as that term is defined in § 703A (a) of Title 13, will not be considered to have been discharged from work for good cause attributable to such work. An individual's discharge from work shall be treated as due to circumstances directly resulting from the individual's experience of domestic violence if:

a. The individual had reasonable fear of future domestic violence at or en route to or from the individual's place of employment;

b. The individual relocated to another geographic area in order to avoid future domestic violence against the individual or the individual's spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent; or

c. Any other circumstance in which domestic violence causes the individual to reasonably believe that absence from work is necessary for the future safety of the individual or the individual's spouse, child under the age of 18, or parent.

When determining whether an individual has experienced domestic violence for compensation purposes, the Division shall require the individual to provide documentation to the Division of the domestic violence involved, such as a police or court record, or documentation of the domestic violence from a shelter worker, attorney, member of the clergy or medical or other professional from whom the employee has sought assistance in addressing domestic violence and its effects. All evidence of domestic violence experienced by an individual, including the individual's statement and any corroborating evidence shall not be disclosed by the Division of Unemployment Insurance unless consent for disclosure is given by the individual. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in such work, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall constitute employer's benefit wages in connection with §§ 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title.

(3) If the individual has refused to accept an offer of work for which the individual is reasonably fitted or has refused to accept a referral to a job opportunity when directed to do so by a local employment office of this State or another state, and the disqualification shall begin with the week in which the refusal occurred and shall continue for each week thereafter until the individual has been employed in each of 4 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned wages in covered employment equal to not less than 4 times the weekly benefit amount; provided that no individual shall be disqualified under this subdivision for refusing to accept an offer of work or a referral while the individual is attending a vocational training course approved by the Department if the acceptance of such offer or referral would prevent the individual from completing the course. No individual otherwise qualified to receive benefits shall lose the right to benefits by reason of a refusal to accept a referral or new work if:

a. As a condition of being so employed, the individual would be required by the employer to join a company union or would be required by the employer to resign from or refrain from joining any bona fide labor organization or would be denied the right by the employer to retain membership in and observe the lawful rules of any such organization;

b. The position offered is vacant due directly to a strike, lockout or other labor dispute;

c. The work is at an unreasonable distance from the individual's residence, having regard to the character of the work the individual has been accustomed to do, and travel to the place of work involves expenses substantially greater than that required for the individual's former work;

d. The remuneration, hours or other conditions of the work offered are substantially less favorable to the individual than those prevailing for similar work in the locality; or

e. The referral or offer was for full-time work and the individual is permitted to seek only part-time work under the provisions of § 3315(3) of this title.

(4) For any week with respect to which the Department finds that the individual's total or partial unemployment is due to a stoppage of work which exists because of a labor dispute (other than a lockout) at the factory, establishment or other premises at which the individual is or was last employed. For purposes of this subsection, a lockout exists when:

a. The contract between the employing unit and the individual's bona fide labor organization has expired and contract negotiations are continuing;

b. The individual, through a bona fide labor organization, has offered to continue working for a reasonable time under the preexisting terms and conditions of employment so as to avert a work stoppage pending the final settlement of the contract negotiations; and

c. The employing unit has refused to permit work to continue and maintain the status quo for a reasonable time pending further negotiations.

(5) For any week with respect to which or a part of which the individual has received or is seeking unemployment benefits under an unemployment compensation law of another state or of the United States, but if the appropriate agency of such other state or of the United States finally determines that the individual is not entitled to such unemployment benefits, this disqualification shall not apply.

(6) If the Department determines such individual has made a false statement or representation knowing it to be false or knowingly has failed to disclose a material fact to obtain benefits to which the individual was not lawfully entitled, and such disqualification shall be for a period of 1 year beginning with the date on which the first false statement, false representation or failure to disclose a material fact occurred. A disqualification issued pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a disqualification due to fraud.

(7) For any week with respect to which the Department finds that the individual has become unemployed by reason of commitment upon conviction and sentencing to any penal institution and for each week thereafter until the individual has been employed in each of 4 subsequent weeks (whether or not consecutive) and has earned wages in covered employment equal to not less than 4 times the weekly benefit amount. Prior to January 1, 2027, wage credits earned in the individual's most recent employment prior to such commitment, if from employment under this title in the employ of any employer liable for assessments under § 3348 of this title, shall not constitute employer's benefit wages in connection with §§ 3349 through 3356 of this title. Any employer liable for reimbursement payments in lieu of assessments shall reimburse the Unemployment Compensation Fund in accordance with § 3345 of this title when an individual becomes eligible for benefits upon separation from a subsequent employer.

(8) If it shall be determined by the Department that total or partial unemployment is due to the individual's inability to work. Such disqualification to terminate when the individual becomes able to work and available for work as determined by a doctor's certificate and meets all other requirements under this title.

(9) Benefits shall not be paid to any individual on the basis of any services, substantially all of which consist of participating in sports or athletic events or training or preparing to so participate, for any week which commences during the period between 2 successive sport seasons (or similar periods) if such individual performed such services in the first of such seasons (or similar periods) and there is a reasonable assurance that such individual will perform such services in the latter of such seasons (or similar periods).

(10)

a. Benefits shall not be paid on the basis of services performed by an alien unless such alien is an individual who was lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time such services were performed, was lawfully present for purposes of performing such services or was permanently residing in the United States under color of law at the time such services were performed, including an alien who was lawfully present in the United States as a result of the application of § 212(d)(5) [ 8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5) ] of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

b. Any data or information required of individuals applying for benefits to determine whether benefits are not payable to them because of their alien status shall be uniformly required from all applicants for benefits.

c. In the case of an individual whose application for benefits would otherwise be approved, no determination that benefits to such individual are not payable because of the individual's alien status shall be made except upon a preponderance of the evidence.

(11)

a. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, no otherwise eligible individual shall be denied benefits for any week because the individual is in training, approved under § 236(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 [ 19 U.S.C. § 2296(a)(1) ], nor shall such individual be denied benefits by reason of leaving work to enter such training, provided the work left is not suitable employment, or because of the application to any such week in training of provisions in this law (or any applicable federal unemployment compensation law), relating to availability for work, active search for work or refusal to accept work.

b. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "suitable employment" means, with respect to an individual, work of a substantially equal or higher skill level than the individual's past adversely affected employment (as defined for purposes of the Trade Act of 1974), and wages for such work at not less than 80 percent of the individual's average wage as determined for the purposes of the Trade Act of 1974.

19 Del. C. § 3314

Amended by Laws 2023, ch. 365,s 5, eff. 8/15/2024.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, § 5; 42 Del. Laws, c. 196, §§ 13-16; 43 Del. Laws, c. 280, §§ 6-9; 44 Del. Laws, c. 207, § 6; 46 Del. Laws, c. 162, §§ 4-7; 19 Del. C. 1953, § 3315; 50 Del. Laws, c. 49, § 1; 50 Del. Laws, c. 115, §§ 5, 6; 53 Del. Laws, c. 32, §§ 1, 2; 53 Del. Laws, c. 79, § 1; 53 Del. Laws, c. 357, § 2; 57 Del. Laws, c. 669, § 5B; 58 Del. Laws, c. 518; 61 Del. Laws, c. 186, §§ 18-20; 61 Del. Laws, c. 452, § 6; 63 Del. Laws, c. 427, §7; 65 Del. Laws, c. 514, §§1 - 5; 66 Del. Laws, c. 389, §1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 318, §1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 435, §1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 143, §1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 247, §§1 - 3; 68 Del. Laws, c. 421, §1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 311, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 361, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 306, §§ 1, 2; 77 Del. Laws, c. 71, §§ 2 - 8.;